The home of photography
Stunning house was centre for pioneering camera work in 19th Century
THE one thing you can be sure of about light is that it’s never black and white. In the 1920s, the great Charles Rennie Mackintosh traded dull old Scotia for Port-Vendres on the Côte Vermeille in the South of France. One of our most celebrated architects and artists, Mackintosh was inspired to paint watercolours there in the fading years of his life.
The intensity of the light had earlier attracted fellow artists such as Henri Matisse, who once remarked: ‘No sky more blue than that!’
But there have been other artists over the years who appreciated the variety of light and shade on offer much closer to home.
Rock House was built in Edinburgh in the 1750s and is believed to be one of the oldest buildings in the capital’s New Town.
There was a very good reason why it was located in such an elevated position, as present owner Jonathan Reed explains.
He says: ‘At the time of its construction, Edinburgh was called Auld Reekie for obvious reasons.
‘It was dark and dirty, but Rock House sat above it all, the highest house outside the Old Town, and high above all of the pollution.
‘The quality of light on offer was better than anywhere else in the city, which made it the perfect place to take photographs.’
Rock House would become the birthplace of modern photography. The combined talents of scientist Robert Adamson and artist David Octavius Hill, pictured right, pioneered many aspects of photography, including the nascent Calotype process, or so-called Sun Pictures.
Most of their photographs were taken in the courtyard of Rock House between 1843 and 1847 – haunting images of working women, weary soldiers and even visiting celebrities. Such is the esteem in which their work is held, you need to obtain the permission of the National Portrait Gallery before much of their work can be reproduced.
Copies of their photographs now adorn the walls of Rock House, creating a touching continuum from the 19th Century.
Mr Reed is a Londonbased interior designer, who has worked all over the world, crafting the homes of royalty and even rock royalty.
The result of his efforts on Calton Hill is an extensive living space that moves seamlessly from room to room, bathed in soothing hues of blue and brown.
The kitchen sets the rustic and historic tone for the house, with its handsome wooden butcher’s block at the centre, range cooker and copper sink.
This leads into a dining area, providing the kind of easy living space people yearn for.
There are fireplaces in the sitting room and in the adjoining panelled snug.
Completing the period feel are the wooden floors and pretty sash windows. There’s a hall next to the kitchen, providing access to the garden, a shower room, utility room and office. Upstairs, the master bedroom makes the most of the natural light, flooding in from four windows. The shower room and bathroom are beautifully appointed, with painted and panelled walls and traditional-style fittings.
Two further bedrooms complete the accommodation on this level, one with a gorgeous wooden bed built into a recess. The garden level provides more rooms, which could work as a flat. There’s the open plan kitchen and living space, two double bedrooms and bathroom with huge traditional bath and marble sink.
Outside, you’ll find the quirky photographer’s studio, aligned to make best use of the incredible southfacing views. The double bedroom is on the ground floor, while a wooden spiral staircase leads to a fantastic hexagonal room that’s positively dripping in character.
The house was appearing in pictures long before the camera was invented. It can be seen in Turner’s 1819 watercolour Edinburgh from Calton Hill and countless retro posters proclaiming: ‘Welcome to Scotland.’
All in all, a ‘picture perfect’ property indeed.
Offers over £1,795,000 to Edward Douglas-Home of Knight Frank in Edinburgh. Tel 0131 222 9600 or email edward.douglas-home@knightfrank. com